A/N Thank you all so much! Well, we got through the reunion, let's see if we can make this thing work! This chapter is heavy on the fluff, and a little bit sexy. I hope you enjoy.
Maggie and Merle walked back in the office just as the couple moved apart.
Maggie asked him, "Daryl do you think there's time for me to see your place before I go back to Atlanta? I'd like to see where my sister will be staying." Her smile was warm and friendly.
"Umm, yeah, sure, I can drive ya out there, then bring ya back here ta get the rental car. Yer a lot closer to the freeway over here."
Daryl was kind of hoping Merle would be coming too, you know, for moral support, but his brother said, "Well I'ma have ta say my goodbyes now Maggie, my wife and daughter are expectin' me home for dinner. Nice ta meet ya and have a safe trip back home." Daryl wondered when he'd get used to Merle talking about his wife and daughter.
They got to his place and he took a deep breath. Sure he wanted Maggie to like it, but what really mattered to him was that Beth like it, maybe even love it, just like he did. He was proud of the place, proud of the work he'd done on it, proud of his designs, and especially proud it was his, bought and paid for. But it reflected his taste, maybe she wouldn't think it was quite as perfect as he thought it was, shit he had no idea what women like.
When Maggie remarked, "My gosh Daryl this is beautiful, the cabinetry, the floors, everything is just awesome. Did you build it?" He was pretty relieved, but also oddly embarrassed. He wasn't always comfortable with praise.
He looked down at first, then he remembered himself, looked her in the eye and said, "Yeah, was sumthin' I always dreamed a doin', buildin' my own place and makin' it special." And he spoke with confidence but Maggie and Beth both noticed how red his neck got.
Beth was thinking it was the most beautiful cabin she'd ever seen, she loved all of it, the big front porch, the huge back porch, and everything in between.
Maggie was feeling relieved that she was leaving her sister in a nice place, and with someone who seemed to be a genuinely good guy, and as a bonus, he was neat as a pin. Damn, she was thinking she'd been falling down on the job and needed to get home and clean house.
Daryl and Beth took her back to the shop, he made sure she had good directions to the airport, he retrieved Beth's small suitcase from the car's trunk, and told Maggie he honestly hoped she'd come again real soon.
He watched the sisters hug tightly, and he knew this was a tough moment for Beth, shit it had been hard to leave Merle behind when he went on his road trip.
When they got back to the cabin he mentioned her lack of things, "Ya didn't bring much stuff Beth," he had a definite nervous tone to his voice.
"I didn't know how you'd feel when you saw me, if you'd want me to leave. I just brought things for a few days. I thought I might end up going back to Michigan with Maggie for a visit, and then home. I have the plane tickets, I'll need to call Mom and tell her to cancel."
"Yer Mama paid for ya ta come here?" He wasn't used to this parent thing, and why would her Mama pay to send her off to some guy so far away?
She looked down shyly, and he could see the color rise in her cheeks. "I was so sad, I was miserable Daryl, I think they were sick of seeing me cry all the time, so when Maggie said she'd bring me here, they couldn't wait to buy the tickets," and she laughed nervously.
He couldn't resist putting his arms around her, "Well yer here now, and damn girl, ya know I want ya here, but where do we start Beth?"
"I'm not sure Daryl, but I think just like we did, by saying we love each other. And I think we need to promise to talk to each other about things, instead of holding them in. And I think I need to learn all about your property, and your town, the area, and try to find a job, so I can feel like Georgia is my home," She smiled at him and those big blue eyes were drawing him in.
"I think that all sounds real good Beth, just right. Get a job doin' sumthin' ya love, that's what I have, and that makes ya feel happy ta do the work. 'Course, it was easy for me, I fell into my business, and it couldn't have worked out better." He didn't really care if she worked or not, but he knew if she didn't, she'd soon become bored with life in the woods, 'specially with him gone so much.
"What do ya like ta do, Beth? If you could just choose?" He figured that's where you start.
"That's part of the problem Daryl, I've never been able to decide. I love horses, I guess you know that," She smiled at him, "But that isn't a job."
"Well maybe it could be, we got a real nice stables not too far from here. They breed horses, but they also board horses, train horses and train riders in all types of riding, and they got just recreational stuff like trail rides, all kinds of stuff ta do with horses. They could probably use someone like you who knows a lot about all that." He shrugged. "I tell ya what, you take it easy tomorrow, get used to the time change and all, and then Wednesday mornin' I don't have any appointments lined up first thing, I'll drive ya over there, I can just wait in the truck while ya talk to 'em and stuff."
"Really Daryl?!" She was excited now. "That sounds so perfect. Thank you so much!" And she hugged him tightly around the waist.
He chuckled softly and said, "Don't thank me yet girl, they're liable ta give ya a job muckin' out stalls."
"Hey, I've done plenty of that, and at least it would be a start!"
That was the easy part of the conversation; from there they talked about how things had gone wrong for them back in South Dakota. They each owned up to their part in it, and then they vowed to move forward, learn from that, and not lay blame. It was time to start fresh, that was what they both wanted.
Eventually, it happened, bedtime. Both were nervous, but Daryl spoke first. "I missed sleeping with ya Beth. I got use ta having ya with me, holdin' ya at night. Was one a the toughest things for me, not bein' able ta hold ya. But if we're startin' over, and ya don't wanna share the bed yet, I get it, I can sleep in the spare room."
She smiled at him, "Are you kidding me Daryl? Oh my gosh, I've missed you so much, I missed your strong arms holding me tight, being so protective, I missed waking up in your arms. It was one of the hardest things for me. My Teddy Bear just couldn't handle that job!" And her smile grew.
"We won't have ta decide about any other touchin' yet, I ain't got nuthin' ta protect ya with. Didn't think I's gonna need any a that stuff. Don't keep nuthin' around here, I ain't never had another woman here Beth." He looked down, shrugged his shoulders and she saw that neck turn red again, and she knew her own cheeks were flushed.
"Well Daryl, I guess we don't have to worry about it, Maggie gave me a whole sack of those things and told me if I got pregnant she was going to kick my ass," And embarrassed as she was, she couldn't help but laugh.
Daryl just smiled took her hand, lead her to the bedroom and said, "I like Maggie more all the time."
He was in bed when she walked out of the bathroom in her robe, she slipped it off and he saw she was naked. They smiled at one another, and he flipped the bedside lamp off when she'd slipped in the bed.
He spoke quietly, "Ya know Beth, maybe we should hold off on this stuff, if we're startin' over n all."
And she playfully pushed his shoulder, "Not a chance Mister Dixon, I've missed you way too much. Besides, we are starting over, with everything else, just not this."
He laughed softly as he moved his arms around her and said, "I love you, ya crazy girl."
And she squeezed him tightly and whispered, "Oh Daryl, you have no idea how much I love you."
"See there, yer crazy, ya love an old redneck," He was only half kidding.
"Don't you say that Daryl, no one deserves love more than you, please don't discount yourself."
With that, he began kissing her deeply and it was like they'd been starving for each other. He couldn't seem to pull her close enough to him, he'd missed the feel of her so much. She was already whimpering when he moved his hand to her breast and began to gently pinch her nipples, he moved his mouth to her other breast, and she threw her leg over his hip, he moved his thigh high between her legs, putting a little pressure on that sweet spot. "Oh my gawd Daryl," she whispered, and that spurred him on. He started kissing his way down her rib cage, and across her tummy while continuing to tease her breasts with his fingers, he moved her legs apart, slid down between them, and began to stroke her pussy with his tongue. She let out a loud moan, and then relaxed into it. She had her legs spread apart, knees up and feet flat on the mattress. She thought he was working some kind of magic on her and her back was arching, he had a hand on each of her hips and when they started to lift from the bed, he gently kept her firm to the mattress. She was moaning and calling his name when he reached with one hand and began to play with a breast. He could tell she was getting close and he concentrated on that sensitive little sweet spot. She came hard calling his name and the sound of that thrilled him.
He moved up next to her, she kissed him and asked, "Oh my gosh Daryl, that was so good. Should I do that for you?"
He smiled and said, "Not this time Beth, I wanna get inside." And she grabbed the packet from the night table and opened it for him. She asked, "Can I?" And he smiled, "Oh hell yes Baby, please."
He moved her on top of him and she lifted her hips while he guided himself into her. They both let out a moan as he entered her. He lifted his hips up from the bed, while he used his hands to push her hips down to meet his, he held her there, hands remaining clasped on her hips while she moved on top of him. The friction it created got them both excited. When he couldn't hold the position any longer, he moved his hands to her breasts. He was tweaking her nipples as he pulled his upper body into an almost seated position, sucking on her breast while moving a hand to her low back, continuing to press her into him. He whispered, "Damn Beth, ya feel so good, make me wanna come." And with the feel of him, and the movement and those words, she couldn't hold back and she came again.
When she did he rolled them over as one, and began pumping into her while whispering in her ear, "Damn, baby I been wantin' ya so much, and ya just feel so good," And when he came she could swear he growled.
They fell back on the bed breathless, wet with perspiration and feeling well satisfied.
"Now that was fun Beth, but dammit, yer not s'posed ta wear me out like this, I gotta work in the mornin'," And he laughed, rolled back over to lean above her, kissed her, and said, "I do love ya."
She said, "That was the most amazing thing ever Daryl, I love you so much, and now I'm starving."
He started laughing at that and said, 'Shit, ya got me all distracted and I forgot ta make dinner."
xxxx
Even with the time zone change, she was up early the next morning cooking him breakfast. "Ya know ya ain't gotta do that girl, I'm perfectly capable a makin' my own breakfast."
She just smiled, "I know, I just wanted to do this for you. I do have a question though, what exactly are grits?"
"Well shit, they're what I missed every mornin' when I was out west. Folks out there, they seem ta like fried potatoes, down here, we like our grits. It's what I usually fix myself for breakfast, make 'em like porridge and add some cheese, and I like 'em for dinner with shrimp," he smiled. "They're ground from hominy, big ol' hull less dried corn. I'll cook ya some tonight, you'll see."
"Sounds good," She smiled, and she was so happy she'd come here and she leaned into him and kissed him.
"Oh man baby, don't get me started, got a meetin' in 45 minutes," But then he leaned down and kissed her deeply.
They reluctantly pulled apart and she smiled and said, "I want you to have some breakfast before you leave, it's the most important meal of the day you know." And they both smiled at that.
xxxx
She called Maggie, they were in the same time zone now. They chatted a while and Beth told her everything was great, and it was.
She took a shower, got dressed, and put a load of laundry in the wash, she hoped he didn't mind she'd mixed his with hers.
She unpacked and put her things away. The bedroom closet was huge, and nearly empty. She'd known he lived simply, but dang Daryl just didn't have much in the way of clothes. He had work shirts with his company name, and work pants, but other than that, very little. The dresser was practically empty but she'd brought so little she didn't even fill half a drawer.
She called her Mom, they'd talked about Daryl, and Beth told her she'd be staying and that she and Daryl had agreed they both wanted this to work and they were going to try hard, that it was starting out real good. She told her about Daryl suggesting she try to find work at the stables, and her Mom said she'd send her more of her things right away, her cowboy boots, spurs, chaps and work boots, and more jeans, tees and western shirts.
Mom wanted this to work. She didn't want her daughters living so far from home, but what she did want more than anything was for them to be happy.
Then she went exploring, but not too far. She came from country where there weren't any poisonous snakes, and not much for bugs, except for mosquitos and horse flies in the summer. She was a little leery here in Georgia, she was sure they had snakes, and she knew they had bugs. She was anxious for Daryl to take her out and familiarize her with it. In the meantime, she couldn't deny, it was beautiful.
She loved the setting of the cabin, she loved the cabin, and she loved Daryl. Now if she could just adjust to it all. She knew she had to be more committed than she'd been before, this wasn't just some game, or a casual hook-up. She'd made up her mind, she'd almost lost him once, she didn't want to take that chance again.
xxxx
Daryl felt so damn happy. He'd gone from thinking he'd never see her again, and he'd be alone the rest of his life, to having the woman he knew he'd love forever living in his cabin. He was also scared, what if she changed her mind? What if she high tailed it back to Wyoming tomorrow? He knew it would be a bullet to the heart he wouldn't get over, oh he'd go on, he was a survivor, but he would never be happy without her in his life. Then he reprimanded himself – think positive Dixon, you're always thinking worst case scenario.
He had a busy day, he met with three customers, two of them corporate. Then worked on designs and did some intricate inlay work on door panels for a customer in Savannah. His hands and his mind were busy, but in the back of his mind all he was thinking about was getting home to her.
Merle could see his brother was lost in thought, and he was pretty sure he knew what those thoughts were, he clapped him on the back, and tried to be encouraging, "She come a long way ta be with ya baby brother. Hopin' y'all can make it work. Ya know I'm just an old ne'r do well myself, but damn, I got lucky when Carol and Sophia come into my life. I want that kinda happiness for you. You're a good man, and ya deserve it."
xxxx
He walked in the door and she seemed real happy to see him. He'd stopped and picked up some fresh shrimp and he smiled and told her, "Girl, yer about ta have you some shrimp n grits. Let's see how ya like it."
She was impressed with his skill in the kitchen, and she loved the shrimp and grits and told him so, "Daryl that was so delicious."
"See there? Yer halfway ta bein' a southerner!" He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
xxxx
The next morning he had her at the stables at 7:00. He thought she sure looked the part. She had on her tight jeans, western belt, a snap front short sleeve western shirt, and those damn boots he knew had been all over Wyoming and South Dakota.
He had his go mug of coffee and the latest issue of Bowhunter Magazine. When she'd been in there 30 minutes he started to worry a little, seemed to him like a long time to ask about a job, but then, he'd never had to look for work.
After 45 minutes she came running towards the truck and he could tell by the look on her face she was excited. He quickly got out of the truck to open the door for her, but before he could she threw herself into his arms and the words rushed out in an excited tone, "I got a job Daryl, I got a job. I start on Monday. I can't wait, I can't wait, I'm going to train horses Daryl! I'm also going to teach young children everything about horses and riding, and give riding lessons and it's all going to be so prefect."
And he couldn't help it, he laughed and said, "Damn girl, I'm sorry yer so disappointed." And he hugged her tight.
About the time he started up the pick-up's engine, she panicked, "Oh no, how will I get there and back home? I won't work the same hours as you. I'm supposed to be there at 7:30 and I get off at 2:00."
"That's not a problem Beth, you can use this truck, and I can use either the bike, or one of the work trucks. I always use a work truck for going out on bids and stuff anyway." He hadn't missed that she called his place home, and it made him happy, he guessed he'd start thinking of it as their house.
"Really, you'll trust me with your truck?" She looked surprised.
"Shit Beth, I'm trustin' ya with my heart, the truck ain't no big deal."
A/N Awww, there's your sugar, now go brush your teeth! Thanks so much for reading, please review xo